Robert "Bob" R. Rankin

Robert “Bob” R. Rankin, 80, of Leonard Road, died Thursday, April 1, 2010, at Hinkle Hospice House after several years of declining health. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 3, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church, where he is a member, with Rev. Dr. Lee Zehmer officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor. Mr. Rankin was born October 11, 1929, in McAdenville, to John William “Will” and Lottie Reeves Rankin. He served as a Deacon at Reeds Baptist Church and was a Sunday school teacher and Elder at First Presbyterian Church. He graduated form Lowell High School in 1950, and earned the Bachelor of Science degree in history and physical education from Belmont Abbey College in 1954. He earned the Master of Arts degree in social science and physical education from Appalachian State University in 1957 and his administrative certificate from Western Carolina in 1960. He received the Mary Reynold Babcock Grant to participate in the Harvard Exchange Program in Cambridge, Mass. His professional experience have included work with the recreation departments in Gastonia and McAdenville, teaching and coaching positions in Iredell County and Denton, and principal positions at Reeds Elementary School and Welcome Elementary School. His community and civic activities include active rolls in the Civitan Club. He was Governor of North Carolina District West Civitan International in 1967-68. He served as Board of directors at Lexington Y.M.C.A., on the board of directors for the Fireman’s Fund of the Welcome Fire Department, the Davidson County Mental Health Board, the Drug Abuse Council and the Davidson County Heart Association. In addition, he participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Drive, the Firemen’s Fund Drive for the Welcome Fire Department, and Welcome Highway Improvement Project. He orchestrated the first Little League Football and Basketball programs for Davidson County. On behalf of the Boosters Club, he helped raise over $13,000 and helped supervise the construction and paving of a Fitness Trail 1.2 miles with eight exercise stations to be used by the North Davidson Schools and community. While principal of Welcome Elementary School, the President’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports award was won three times. Welcome School being the first in the state to receive the National award on Physical Fitness. The school was recognized as one of the top five schools in the state and served as a state’s demonstration school. He was noted for his generosity and compassion for the less fortunate students. His earlier years he played semi-pro baseball and championship slow pitch softball in Gaston County. He was voted coach of the year twice in Davidson County and once in Iredell County. He was an avid runner, completing six marathons and many 10k runs. In addition to his parents his first wife of eight years, Clara Jo Phillips and two sisters, Arlet Rankin and Nellie Rankin Cobb preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, of 45 years, Dee Rankin of the home; two sons, Bill Rankin and wife, Pam, of Concord and Robert Rankin Jr. and his wife, Jill, of Clearwater, Fl; a daughter, Laura Mock and husband, Franklin, of Mooresville; five grandchildren, Matthew, Ana, and Ellen of Concord, Ava Rankin of Florida, and Sam Mock of Mooresville; and one brother, Steve Rankin and wife, Shirley, of McAdenville. Memorials may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305-1425; Hinkle Hospice House, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292; or the Pastor’s Pantry, P.O. Box 2051, Lexington, NC 27293.